At the deep of night, Unhwi sat alone at the center of the pavilion inside Cheonryong Hall.

The dozens of dishes placed across roughly twenty tables before him were ornate enough, but not a single person sat in the seats.

To put it plainly, Cheonryong Hall was utterly desolate.

The current time was the beginning of Haeshi.

Commander Seong, standing behind Unhwi, spoke in a low voice.

“I hear that the Beggar’s Union of this Seongjak Province has moved.”

“The Beggar’s Union?”

“Yes. A man named Ham Jangsik, a Five-Knot, sent a letter to the Seongjak Union the very moment we sent out invitations for tonight’s banquet.”

“What did it say?”

“Well...... strangely enough, it was a letter urging them to come to Cheonryong Hall today.”

From Unhwi’s perspective, this was an unusual thing.

“Ham Jangsik...... you said he’s a Five-Knot?”

“Yes.”

Five-Knot was a fairly high rank.

One need not look far—Cheon Sugang, who oversaw the entire headquarters of the Beggar’s Union at Geongon Fortress, was a Six-Knot.

The Seongjak Branch stood somewhere between headquarters and an ordinary branch; its scale was not something comparable to a normal branch.

And yet a Five-Knot was lending support?

“Did I have any personal connection with him?”

“None, I believe.”

“What about with Everlasting Snow Palace?”

Commander Seong scratched his head.

“You know well. Of those in Everlasting Snow Palace, the only ones with ties to the Beggar’s Union are the Palace Lord and you, Young Master.”

So.

“Then it must be Jang Seok.”

“Ah......”

The face of Jang Seok came to Unhwi’s mind—how he had rejoiced, saying he was soon to be promoted to Four-Knot, and that he now had the goal of raising the Yangryeong Branch to the level of headquarters.

Unhwi smiled faintly.

“So he lent me his hand.”

“......But why is it still so quiet? Could it be no one will come at all?”

“You worry too much, Commander Seong. I’ve noticed that from the start.”

“Ah, do I?”

“You didn’t realize?”

Before Commander Seong could answer—

There were signs of people arriving at the entrance of Cheonryong Hall.

“......Oh...... they actually came...... I thought they wouldn’t.”

There were five of them.

Their attire and bearing differed, but in their gazes there was the same wariness and arrogance.

Jeong Sayang, Lord of Munyang Pavilion.

Wi Geumcheon, Chief of Golden Iron Association.

Cheol Mu, Master of Iron Flag Hall.

Shin Nayoung, Mistress of Hwayang Band.

And Nak Haewang, Lord of Iron Ship Hall.

They were the five leaders of the Seongjak Union.

But the two strongest sects—Gangcheon Wave Sect and Punggeom Pavilion—were absent.

Wi Geumcheon, whom Unhwi had seen earlier that morning, wore a displeased look as he spoke.

“The Cheonsusa certainly has remarkable patience.”

“You mean me.”

“Strange question, perhaps, but...... did you really think we would come?”

Unhwi only smiled without answering.

They all entered the pavilion.

Among them, a man in his mid-forties left a striking impression: clad in a deep teal suit of armor, with a belt adorned with seashells and pearls, and a massive spear strapped across his back—Nak Haewang of Iron Ship Hall. He sat down and said:

“The era of the Cheon Alliance is already over.”

“You truly believe that?”

The one to answer Unhwi’s question was not Nak Haewang, but the woman sitting across from him, dressed in splendid silks of gold and purple—Shin Nayoung of Hwayang Band.

“We’ve already formed the Seongjak Union. This is no longer the territory of the Cheon Alliance, so at least here, we must say the Cheon Alliance’s era is finished.”

Unhwi remained silent. Looking at his calm expression, Jeong Sayang spoke.

“The reason we came here is only one—to prevent unnecessary bloodshed. If you leave peacefully, we will also see you off peacefully.”

Unhwi’s expression did not change, nor did his lips move.

“Heh, really...... more taciturn than I expected. I am Jeong Sayang of Munyang Pavilion. Let’s be frank. The Cheon Alliance abandoned Seongjak Province long ago. Why come now? And even bringing Everlasting Snow Palace into it.”

Each of them spoke in turn as they sat. But only one—Cheol Mu, Master of Iron Flag Hall—kept silent.

“And you—have nothing to say?”

“......Nothing to say......? Well, perhaps. They call you the Demon Lord of the Snowy Mountains?”

“So I’ve been called.”

“Amusing epithet. Have we met before?”

“This is our first meeting.”

“Then why do you speak down to me?”

Unhwi gave a faint laugh.

“That’s what you’re curious about?”

“Is that such a small thing? In terms of seniority within the martial world, we are far above you......”

Cheol Mu’s words never finished.

“Hahaha! Such great heroes gathered at the grand Cheonryong Hall!”

A bright, lively voice rang out.

Someone was walking into Cheonryong Hall.

He wore splendid silk robes, holding a large wine jug in one hand. Around his waist were tied five sashes.

From beneath the pavilion he bowed with clasped fists toward Unhwi.

“It is an honor to meet you for the first time. I am Ham Jangsik, branch head of the Beggar’s Union in Seongjak Province.”

He looked to be in his mid-forties, with a surprisingly handsome face.

“I was not invited, but upon hearing of Young Lord Seol’s renown, I thought—indeed, there is still chivalry alive in the martial world. So I came. If Young Lord permits, may I also join this gathering?”

Unhwi gave a slight nod.

“Yes. You may. There are plenty of seats. Sit wherever you like.”

The five leaders of the Seongjak Union all snapped their heads around.

Why was he speaking informally to them, yet using honorifics with this beggar?

Had there been some exchange between the two of them?

Naturally, Unhwi addressed Ham Jangsik, who had taken a seat across from Cheol Mu.

“I heard you persuaded the martial men of the Seongjak Union, Senior Ham.”

“Haha...... persuade? I merely did what was necessary.”

“What was necessary......”

“A banquet held by the newly appointed Cheonsusa—if seats were left empty, the atmosphere would have turned strange. So I had no choice. But...... I see many seats are still empty.”

Ham Jangsik’s expression was peculiar.

“A place where the heroes of Seongjak Province are gathered, where the future of Seongjak Province will be decided...... and yet Gangcheon Wave Sect and Punggeom Pavilion are absent.”

Unhwi’s eyes gleamed.

“It is as though you predicted it.”

“Well, I am of the Beggar’s Union. Would you mind if I put on a little performance before the banquet begins?”

“I would not refuse.”

“Mm...... doubtless you must be wondering, Cheonsusa. Why have the masters of Gangcheon Wave Sect and Punggeom Pavilion not come?”

Unhwi nodded.

“They are the two strongest forces in the Seongjak Union. Of them, Punggeom Pavilion holds the position of representative. Following them is Gangcheon Wave Sect. They are proud men, but beyond that, the two swore an oath long ago.”

“What kind of oath?”

“That they would never submit to the Cheon Alliance.”

“I see.”

Unhwi’s words held no emotion. Ham Jangsik’s eyes sparkled, and he spread his arms wide.

“Still, the fact that these five at least deemed dialogue possible—that alone is great progress. After all, one cannot be full on the first drink. Hahaha.”

Ham Jangsik was a man quick to laugh.

Whether it was genuine or not, Unhwi did not care.

Slowly, he rose to his feet.

“Wi Geumcheon.”

“......Speak.”

“This morning I said it clearly. All seven sects would gather.”

A mocking smile tugged at Wi Geumcheon’s lips.

“I remember. Yet only five are here. Six, if you count the Beggar’s Union.”

None of those present, save Commander Seong, had grasped it yet—

That Unhwi’s eyes had sunk low, as if a decision had been made.

“From here on, open your ears and listen well.”

At Unhwi’s chilling voice, some flinched, others frowned.

“I will give you two choices. One—to swear loyalty to the Cheon Alliance, and prosper within the order of Seongjak Province. The other—to see your sects annihilated.”

The atmosphere in Cheonryong Hall plummeted in an instant.

Some even let murderous intent rise, but Unhwi did not mind.

He stepped forward slowly.

“Wait here.”

“......What do you intend?”

“Two did not come. I will bring them.”

The pavilion was rocked with shock.

Did Unhwi truly understand?

The Master of Gangcheon Wave Sect was a master of the Ipshin Realm, and the Master of Punggeom Pavilion was a grandmaster of the Mythic Realm.

“Only then will the conversation begin.”

The sheath of the Heavenshaking Spiritblade dragged along the ground at his waist.

Drrrk. Drrrk.

With that chilling sound, Unhwi left Cheonryong Hall. No one tried to stop him.

Every martial instinct screamed the same thing—

The aura Unhwi carried now was not one that could be interrupted by mere words.

Soon, Unhwi and Commander Seong were gone from Cheonryong Hall.

“Heh...... what on earth is this......”

***

Leaving Cheonryong Hall, Unhwi moved together with Commander Seong.

Their breathing matched perfectly, their footsteps utterly soundless.

Commander Seong asked,

“Would it not be better to split up and go separately?”

Unhwi shook his head.

“We go together.”

“You know well, but just to recall—Jang Cheonun of Gangcheon Wave Sect is a master of the Ipshin Realm, called the Overlord of Seongjak Lake. Pung Muhoe of Punggeom Pavilion °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° is a grandmaster of the Mythic Realm, famed as the ‘Ancient Sword of Seongjak,’ wielding peerless swordsmanship.”

Unhwi gave no reply.

Commander Seong gazed quietly at his back.

Indeed, he was different from usual.

Beneath that calmness was killing intent, cold and dangerous, like eyes hiding a blade.

“According to reports, Gangcheon Wave Sect is based on the eastern coast of Seongjak Province, while Punggeom Pavilion is located in the western high mountains.”

Unhwi spoke.

“We go to the sea first.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

Their pace quickened.

The base of Gangcheon Wave Sect stood magnificently atop a cliff overlooking the sea, with blue-tiled roofs shaped like waves and columns carved with sea creatures.

Only four guards stood watch at the gate, their level clearly at the entry stage of Yeongi Realm.

They opened their eyes wide at the sight of Unhwi and Commander Seong.

Then swallowed hard at Unhwi’s question.

“Is your Sect Master inside?”

“......Our Lord is......”

“So he is.”

Unhwi did not ask further.

He walked straight ahead. The four men reached for their swords, but the moment they felt Commander Seong’s killing intent, they collapsed to their knees.

Kwaaang—!!

Unhwi’s foot smashed open the gate.

Even as fragments exploded outward, Unhwi did not move from the spot.

Nor did Commander Seong.

Beyond the shattered gate stood dozens of men and women.

“We were just preparing to attend the banquet the Cheonsusa had spoken of......”

It was a man in his mid-fifties, wearing a dark blue robe embroidered with wave patterns.